Homesick?

"Are you homesick yet?" "Are you ready to come back?" "When are you coming back?"

Photo of the Week: August 17th

Many parts of the city of Skopje have been "under construction" as the government has been giving the city a "classical makeover." With over 40 new statues planned as part of the grand Skopje 2014 project, Skopje may soon be known as "the city of statues."

Photo of the Week: August 10th

This week we went on a little adventure to explore southeastern Macedonia, specifically around Lake Ohrid. What a beautiful place!! Ohrid is protected by UNESCO as a natural and cultural heritage site. The UNESCO website says this about Ohrid:

Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the town of Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. Built mainly between the 7th and 19th centuries, it has the oldest Slav monastery (St Pantelejmon) and more than 800 Byzantine-style icons dating from the 11th to the end of the 14th century. After those of the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow, this is considered to be the most important collection of icons in the world.

Colorful boats in the harbor

Peacocks roam the grounds near the Monastery of Saint Naum

Church St. Naum

Photo of the Week: August 2nd

The Orthodox churches throughout Macedonia are adorned with icons painted on walls, ceilings, pillars, doors, and towers. Many of the beautiful works of art are painted in the fresco-technique and date back to the 11th - 16th centuries.

Top to bottom: The dome of the church, prayer candles, the iconostasis, and the bell tower and church.

During our travels to various parts of Macedonia we always make time to stop at an orthodox church to view these works of spiritual art. These photos do not do their beauty justice! You'll just have to come to Macedonia to see them yourself! 

Where Does Your Garden Grow?

Walking through the "green markets" in Macedonia you wouldn't think that families struggle to provide nutritious meals for their children. Stall after stall is filled with beautiful, colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables and for most, the cost is reasonable. 

But there are too many families that can't afford a balanced and nutritious diet. We are grateful to have a grant to provide emergency food assistance to families that aren't able to provide food for their children, period.